As concerns about Swine Flu grow, the presumed Mexican source of the outbreak is starting to have ramifications for the country's sport. Games, competitions and events have been postponed; teams have been prevented from travelling; and athletes associated with the country have been subjected to special measures. For example, the Mexican round of the A1 GP championship has been cancelled; Chilean and Columbian football teams have refused to play Mexican teams in the Copa Libertadores; and England's Arsenal football team effectively placed their Mexican player Carlos Vela in quarantine following his direct contact with some native friends recently arrived in the UK from Mexico. How significant is the risk associated with swine flu and how should sport's risk managers address the problems it is posing/potentially posing? What risk factors are being taken into account by sport managers in, for example, cancelling games? Are the precautionary measures we are seeing emerge a knee-jerk reaction or a calculated decision that takes into account the relative risks of engaging in a relationship with Mexico or Mexicans? What benefits are sport teams likely to fore go in retrenching from relations with Mexico? How will managers retrieve any losses, post-Swine Flu, that will emerge following recent decisions? And, at a time of globalisation, what will Swine Flu teach us about managing sport, and managing risk in sport?
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